AN EXPLORATION OF THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC TRUST IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

Abstract

In order for the criminal justice system to be effective, the public must be able to have trust in the system. The police being the first public contact of the criminal justice system must maintain high public trust if the system is to perform its mission to the fullest. This will enhance police effectiveness and the legitimacy of police actions. Therefore, this study explored the factors associated with public trust in the South African Police. This secondary data analysis involved the 2014/2015 South African Victims of Crime Survey from Statistics South Africa. Sample size was 24,701 HHs (n= 24,024 individuals). Using intervieweradministered questionnaire, information obtained included socio-demographic data, individual and community response to crime, experience of household crime, citizen interaction, satisfaction with police services and trust in the SAPS. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Of the households surveyed, 76% (n=18,827) reported having trust in the police and 57.0% (n = 13, 741) reported being satisfied with the police in their areas. A significantly higher proportion of those with lower level of education had trust in the police than those with higher level of education (p < 0.001). The proportion of participants who had trust in the police was lower in the employed than the unemployed participants (74.9% vs. 77.2%; p < 0.001). Victims of crimes such as car theft (AOR: 0.67; p < 0.004), housebreak (AOR: 0.84; p < 0.005) and motor vehicle vandalism (AOR: 0.62; p < 0.001) in the last 5years were less likely to trust the police. Those who were satisfied with the police services in their areas were more likely to trust the police (AOR: 12.4; p < 0.001). Findings indicate among many others; male participants are likely to trust the police more than female. Victims of house breaking, car vandalism in the preceding five years are not likely to trust the police. Furthermore, the greater the community satisfaction with the South African police performance; the higher the level of public trust. It is recommended that factors negatively affecting public trust in the South African Police as identified in this paper be addressed.

Keywords

• Public trust, crime, South African Police Service, criminal justice system

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